The Rugby Championship schedule change set to avoid All Blacks boycott

Australia's clash with New Zealand, originally scheduled for December 12, has been shifted to October 31 at Sydney Olympic Park. It means four Bledisloe Cup matches will be played in succession.

The change will allow All Blacks players and staff to be home in time for Christmas, given their final game will be played on December 5. The original schedule, which furious Kiwi officials claim they never agreed to, would have forced them into quarantine in New Zealand over the Christmas period.

The 12-match tournament will now be played across seven weeks, with the final double-header now split across two weeks. South Africa's Test against Argentina on December 12 has been moved to Newcastle to round out the tournament.

The remainder of the draw is otherwise unchanged however officials are anxiously waiting for a decision on South Africa's inclusion in the tournament.

MORE RUGBY UNION

South African rugby officials are poised to make a decision in the coming days as to whether the Springboks will compete, given the squad is sorely underprepared with their domestic competition only set to kick off on Friday.

The Argentina team has arrived in Australia and is completing training under strict biosecurity measures governed by NSW Health and NSW Police.

The scheduling change brings to an end the furore caused when the fixture was published last month, which was met within minutes by a New Zealand Rugby statement saying it had not signed off on the games.

A back and forth across the Tasman ensued and relationships worsened to the point Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said it was at its "lowest ebb".

However Australian officials partnered with their Kiwi counterparts and SANZAAR to avoid a potential boycott, which would have been a serious blow for rugby union.

"The opening of the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand from New Zealand and an agreement by the parties on revised commercial outcomes has enabled the joint venture to consider alternative solutions in addressing our two key objectives of commercial viability and player welfare," SANZAAR chief Andy Marinos said.

"Rugby Australia and SANZAR, with the support of the NSW Government, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand, have been proactive in putting numerous workable solutions forward that have now enabled us to adjust the draw.

"This year has been a year of continued adjustment where the SANZAAR partners have had to compromise on a number of levels.

"It is important to further acknowledge the sacrifice of a number of the players and team management that will have been away from home for close to six months by the time the Rugby Championship has concluded.

"This is again a testament to the strong values that encompass our game."

BLEDISLOE CUP

All times in AEDT.

Game one: Sunday October 11 - New Zealand v Australia at Wellington, 2pm.

Game two: Sunday October 18 - New Zealand v Australia at Eden Park, 2pm.

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

All times in AEDT.

Matchday one: Saturday October 31 - Australia v New Zealand at Sydney Olympic Park, 7.45pm.

Matchday two: Saturday November 7 - Argentina v South Africa at 5pm; Australia v New Zealand at 7.45pm, Lang Park.

Matchday three: Saturday November 14 - New Zealand v Argentina at 5pm; South Africa v Australia at 7.45pm, Western Sydney Stadium.

Matchday four: Saturday November 21 - New Zealand v South Africa at 5pm; Australia v Argentina at 7.45pm, Sydney Olympic Park.

Matchday five: Saturday November 28 - Argentina v Australia at 5pm; South Africa v New Zealand at 7.45pm, Newcastle Stadium.

Matchday six: Saturday December 5 - Argentina v New Zealand at 5pm; Australia v South Africa at 7.45pm, Western Sydney Stadium.

Matchday seven: Saturday December 12 - South Africa v Argentina at 7.45pm, Newcastle Stadium.